Gas absorption machine



Oct; 20, 1936. H., E. LA BOUR GA S ABSORPTION MACHINE Filed May 27, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 20, 1936. H. E. LA BOUR GAS ABSORPTION MACHINE Jive/22 0 E Zafiaan 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 2'7, 1935 F T T Patented 1936 Umraof STATES aossazc PATENT?- oFi-" ca daemons-non MAC-BIN! Harry E. In. Bour, Elkhart. me. Application my 21 1935, Serial No. 23,698.

zccianiis. (GLEN-484) This invention relates to gas absorption 'machines. and more particularly is to machines of this type for producing absorption of gasintoa liquid underpressure and-delivery oi I the liquid, with theabsorbed'gastherein, to any suitable point of use.

It is obviously desirable in ga absorption apparatus, to obtain the "maximum rate of absorption in the most efficlent manner. The rate of absorption, assuming a sufliclent amount of gas and absorbing liquid, is ingeneral-dependent upon the vapor pressuresot the fluids, the intimacy of contact, the temperature and the pres- 1 sure. The present invention-has for a primary expenditure of time energy? surface which is not to stabilize, and at the same time providing for placing o! this mixture under suitable pressure. 7

Inthe preferred embodiment of myppresent invention. I provide an absorption machine com- 5 gprising a." casing having v therein a substantially cylindrical mixing-or churning chamber adapted to".-'.receive a multi-bladed paddle 'or 'impeller mounted-: mi: rotation th rein ,and suitably coupled'to any desired substantially constant speed 10 objectthe development otaimeansfiori pr ducing f I maximum emcincy' Ioi absorption with The phenomenon of absorption'f'may, forqa in 'severaljjmannerse fj I given gas -angl'liquii'l";bemechanically"accelerated.

First, 'th acceleration can be rbvidedby. can.-

trol otthe intiniatecontactlng or the liquidand', v, O1r=p0tts being connected the gas. Thisinvolves not-only the initial break-' ing up and-diflusion' o1 both'gas and liquid, but

also the continued violentagitation of a mixture or emulsion of the gas andliquid to prevent of the individual drops or globules of liquid by surface, saturation. Necessarily even the absorption of gas by liquid which is initially broken up'into a line spray or minute particles is largely a matter of diffusion.

The present invention provides, as one of its essential fimctions, an absorption machine attaining an efficient contact between constantly changing particles of liquid and gas, in order to present as much liquid surface as possible to the gas within. mechanical limitations of structure. Inasmuch as the phenomenon of absorption 01 gm in a liquid is controlled by establishment of 40 equilibrium at the gas-liquid interface of the liquid particles, I find that by increasing the rate of diffusion of the more absorptive portion of liquid from the interior of the liquid particle to its interface surface, as by subdividing or shear- 5 ing the globule of liquid, this equilibrium condition is not reached as rapidly and that by producing a large and constantly changing or difiusing reacting surface, a more rapid absorption is obtained with respect to the rate of travel of the y 50 gas and liquid mixture. v

Second, the mechanical acceleration of absorption may be produced by pressure. Consequently an ideal absorption machine is one in which an intimate mixture of gas and liquid is 55 obtained having a large and constantly changing mani r 'r i e v c t e ab rbin i u i the absorbed gas therein; whflglg p r one 25 v of each pair of is connected to a common inlet manifold; This-inlet manifold'fis adapted to receive absorbing liquid irom a suitable source or supply under a substantially constantheadb such as a supply tank having itslevel maintained 9 constant by an overflow weir, a float controlled valveorthelike."

The gas is introduced from asuitable gas holder or'other supply source at a substantially uniform rate into the center of the impeller 5 chamber from one side thereof, and is churned and intimately commingled with the finely .divided inlet absorbing liquid by the, churningaction oi the impeller.

For maximum eiiectiveness therate of flow of 40 liquid and the rate of flow of gas in proper proportions should. be maintained constant and the mixing action should also be maintained constant.

In the present device this action is controlled as nearly as possible by maintaining a substantially constant head of liquid, a substantially constant pressure of gas, and for any desired rate of absorption a substantially constant rate of rotation. But unless there is a definite control of the flow 1 of one or the fluids either in proportion to the other or in some desired relation to their combination or some other phenomenon relating to the desired result, the action of this mechanically mixing and discharging of the fluids tends to be unstable. In the present instance the active mass flooded condition exists in the chamber.

of liquid-fed into the machine will be controlled by the amount of liquid discharged out of the main discharge throat. Thus, if the amount of liquid being fed to the machine is greater than that required for absorption, the device will pro duce a throttling action at the intake throats,

reducing the amount of intake liquid in accordance with the desired absorption ratio. If not enough liquid is being introduced, the high speed rotating impeller will produce a suction eflect on the liquid intake throats, increasing the amount of liquid drawn therethrough into the impeller chamber. duce maximum absorption is therefore automatically maintained in balance due to the employment of this fundamental principle of operation. Obviously, throttling valves might be employed for the absorbing liquid or gas intake openings under certain conditions, but ordinarily these are not required as the supply of liquid can be controlled in such manner as to produce a preselected desired inlet pressure.

This balance is maintained by the eifective centrifugal force produced by the annular ring of absorbing liquid being whirled around the mixing chamber. The radial depth of this liquid remains a substantial constant when'the ga's absorption machine is working at maximum efliciency, and automatically tends to return to its predetermined extent when varied therefrom. This amount of liquid is controlled first, by the inlet pressure of the incoming fresh absorbing liquid, second,by the rate of rotation of the impeller, which produces the centrifugal force for discharging the mixture of absorbed gas and liquid, and third, by the rate of absorption of gas into the liquid. This third factor, though variable for difierent gas and liquid mixtures, can be considered practically constant for a given gas and liquid under a substantially constant pressure. The automatic balancing is obtained by reason of the fact that the centrifugal force of the liquid ring will restrict entrance of fresh liquid into the chamber when a If the excess should be so great that the pressure developed would exceed the inlet pressure some of the liquid may be caused to flow back into the inlet at the same time that it flows out of the discharge. This is not generally necessary or desirable and the machine should be operated so as to avoid it, but it illustrates the high degree of inherent stability of the operation. In the case of a starved condition,'the suction efiect at the intake ports produced by the high speed impeller without an adequate liquid ring will tend to create an in-- rush of fresh absorbing liquid until the balanced condition is attained.

The invention therefore has for one of its main objects the provision of absorption apparatus automatically controlling the 'ratio of absorbing liquid to gas such that the maximum rate of absorption of gas into the liquid is produced.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of means for mechanicallyaccelerating the rate of absorption by maintaining the mixture under pressure and producing a large and con- The ratioof the liquid to gas to pro stantly changing reacting-contact surface between the gas and liquid.

A further object of the invention is the provision of absorption apparatus wherein the amount of absorbing liquid fed thereto is automatically controlled by the quantity of gas-liquid mixture being discharged from the apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gas absorption machine employing therein fundamental principles of automatic self-balancing operation and control of the gas to liquid ratio.

These and various other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of a preferred form of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a gas absorption machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

' on within the machine;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the impeller chamber of a gas absorption machine showing a slightly unbalanced condition of operation;

Figure 6 is a corresponding diagrammatic view showing a condition of operation in which the intake liquid is being forced into the chamber without sufficient absorption of gas; and.

I Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a single throat absorption device embodying the principles of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the gas absorption machine shown in detail in Figures 1 and 2- comprises a housing generally indicated at 5, having integrally cast depending foot portions 6 suitably apertured to receive means for mounting the same upon a supporting base. The housing 5 is provided with a liquid intake port I having a flanged opening 8 leading thereto, the flange 8 being secured to any suitable conduit means for conveying the intake liquid to the housing under substantially uniform conditions of pressure and flow. The device is also provided with a discharge chamber shown generally at 9, which terminates in a discharge port defined by the extending annular flange In, which flange may be suitably apertured for securing a separator to the same, or for securing any suitable discharge conduit means thereto.

The housing 5 is also provided with a central intake I 2 having a flange l3 defining the inlet opening thereto, which may be connected to any suitable source of gas supply.

The liquid intake port I is connected to a in producing turbulence in the incoming gas stream entering through the central opening i2 of the machine. "The blades extend outwardly,

being reduced in section as shown at 24, and bea ing provided, at the trailing edge. thereof. with reinforced rib portions 22, as shown in Figure 3.

The blades II are all joined to a central hub por-' tion 23, which is provided with an impeller shaft 24 extending outwardly of the housing I and suitably coupled, at its extendinsvendpto a motor or other suitable source of driving power.

The discharge port 6 is connected to the impeller chamber through a substantially annular manifold portion indicated'at 26,- which extends about a recessed portion of the housing 4 into which extends a suitableback. plate 26, which backplate forms, at its central portion, a cylindrical bore 21 receiving the shaft 24 and providing bearing support for the shaft at 26. adjacent the hub 23 of the shaft. The plate 26 is slightly recessed, as shown at 26, away from the rear of the impeller blade I! to provide a slight communicating space therebetween. The plate 26 forms the back or rear wall of the impeller v chamber l6, and issuitably machined, as at 38 and 22; to bear against the inner annular defining surface of the manifold 26, there preferably being packing disposed in the recess 33 formed therebetween. Suitable cooperating shoulders are formed in the internal annular wall of the thereof to provide cooperating inlet and outlet openings on opposite sides thereof from the manifolds to the impeller chamber. The wall provides positive separation of the manifold l5 from the manifold 25 except through the ports opening into the impeller chamber.

.The impeller chamber i6 is provided, at spaced intervals about its periphery. with intake and discharge ports, the intake ports being respectively indicated at 40, 42 and 43, while the discharge ports are respectively indicated at 44, 46 and 46. While I have shown, as'a preferred embodiment of my invention, three such intake and three discharge ports, it is evident that the invention does not need to be limited to a triple-throat centrifugal type of machine, but may employ either a single throat or any desired number of throats. The intake throats 40, 42 and 44. are connected by suitably outwardly curved rib or flange portions 41, 42 and 49 to outlet portsopening intothe intake manifold I! connected to the intake port. I

. nsi e h s" s de st and '44 are-connected through :suitable: outp wardly flared flanges 44, f2 and" formed-integrally with the wallll and ,opening into the discharge manifold 26. These-scoop-shaped outwardly 'naring'flans d/passaseways are formed integral with the central partition-jwall 36 between the manifolds II and 24, and extend on opposite sides thereof, the scoops 41. 44 and 49 providing suitable means for entrance of the in- 2,058,326 suitably raised many proJecting vane portions 4 is adjacent, the center of the impeller to assist similar manner'p'thedis'charge' f take, liquid from the port '1 and manifold is therethrough to the intake port's'40, 42 and 43, respectively. a Similarly, the discharge ports 44, 46 and '46 are adapted.- to provide for discharge of liquid from the chamber i4 outwardly through the flanges forming the scoops or passageways 50,62

and 63. into thesoutlet'ondis'charge manifold 25 leading to. the. discharge-chamber 6 of the unit. The scoop If, as noted in connection with Figure l,' is provided vwith a: drain opening for the purpose of draining liquid from the pump during shipment or storing. Further, at the lower portion of each of the manifolds il'and 25 suitable drain plugs 66 are providedfordraining liquid from these manifolds at thelowermost point thereof.

The impeller I1 is adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction within the impeller chamber it, when viewed in the position shown in Figure 1,

and the blades 16 thereof consequently-move across the ports 40,- 42, 43,44, 46 and 46 in the direction of outflow of the ports. In the case of the ports 44, 46 and '46, this movement is effective toproduce discharge of liquid out of these ports.

intake liquid entering through these ports under a relatively low-static pressure is hit bythe tip ends of the impeller blades l8 and is broken up or divided into a plurality of fine particles or spray driven into the space between the respective blades of theimpeller. At the same time, the axially extending projections" of the blades 18 provide for scooping-in of gas through the gas intake opening l2, which gas is forced, by centrifugal action, outwardly between the blades i8 into contact with the-liquid particles in the impeller chamber l6.- "The gas is preferably under alow static pressure.

The impellerof the present invention is, in one preferred form of the invention, driven at a speed of from 1750 to 1800 R. P. M., depending upon the type of motor employed .as a driving force, and

However, with respect to ports 46, 42 and 43, the

consequently the peripheral speed of the tip end of-the blade i8 is such that the liquid entering the inlet ports 46, 42 and 43 is practically instantaneously split into an infinite number of flne spray particles or the like.

Considering now-Figure 4, the particular ab-' impeller chamber -outwardly along the blades by ,1:

reason of the centrifugal force due to rotation of the impeller, and also due to the suction produced by the movement of .these blades within the impeller chamber. At the same time, intake liquid,

indicated by the solid line provided with arrows a shown 2. moves into the intake I, fromthe intakemrtl. and

enters'the' interior of the impeller chamber l6 through the portion, and 43.

The intake liquid is usually under a low static pressure, and as it moves into the interior of the impeller chamber it is struck by the rapidly moving tipendsfof the impelierblades, and broken up and sprayed into the space between the blades of liquid. At the same time the air particles as an infinite number of relatively small particles are passing across the ports 40, 42 and 43, being carried thereacross by the blade members 18. As a consequence, a turbulent and rapidly changing interface contact between the gas particles and liquid particles is effected immediately beyond the ports 40, 42 and 43 between the adjacent blade members as they move about the impeller chamber. These sections of turbulent intermixture between the gas and liquid are indicated at 63 in Figure 4. I

At the same time that this interface contact is being effected between the gas and liquid particles, a portion of the liquid which has been struck by the impeller tip and sprayed downwardly toward the hub of the impeller begins to move outwardly by reason of its weight and due to the centrifugal force of rotation imparted by the rotation of the impeller. As a result, this liquid tends to move toward the outer annular defining surface of the impeller chamber, squeezing some of the unabsorbed air particles therethrough, since they are of less mass than the liquid particles. At the same time the movement of liquid outwardly imposes a pressure upon the confined gas particles within the liquid that is being turbulently stirred and agitated during this travel of the impeller blade from one of the intake ports to the next succeeding discharge port. By the time the liquid has reached the discharge port next contacted'in its path of movement around the -impeller chamber considerable absorption of gas into the liquid has occurred, due, first, to the breaking up of the liquid into a substantially infinite number of minute particles by reason of it being hit by the tip of the impeller and splashed or sprayed over the space between the adjacent impeller blades, thereby entrapping and contacting the gas particles within this space, and secondly, due to the pressure produced by the centrifugal movement of the liquid outwardly toward the annular periphery of the impeller chamber.

The agitation produced within the impeller chamber during rapid rotation of the impeller produces a substantially frothy or white water mixture therein, which is constantly changing in surface and size of the individual particles. The individual particles themselvesare also continually changing their surface, being either agglomerated together or sheared or subdivided further to present new surfaces to the gas particles in contact therewith. As a result, intimate interface contact between all portions of liquid and gas is obtained, and absorption is thereby accelerated. As the blades pass the discharge port, the centrifugal weight of the liquid carrying absorbed gas therein, together with the fact that there is I no resisting pressureat the discharge port, causes I cles, it is apparent that substantiallyall of the the discharge of this liquid outwardly through the ports 44, 45 and 46 into the discharge manifold 25. The liquid with the absorbed gas therein is shown by the arrows generally indicated at 64, which are then forced under pressure through the discharge manifold 25 to the discharge chamber 9 of the absorption machine. always possesses greater mass than the gas parti- Since the liquid imum efliciency of absorption will be attained within the impeller chamber, and consequently the discharged liquid will not contain any great quantity of entrained unabsorbed gas bubbles.

Even if inert gases are present, which are not absorbed but must be carried through the liquid, these gases can be removed by passing the dis-.

charge liquid into a separating chamber or the like. Also, it is obvious that the entrained gas which may pass outwardly to the discharge manifold may be removed in any well known manner, as desired.

The operation of the present gas absorption machine is based upon a hydraulic self-balancing principle. The machine, when started, pro-:

duces a suction at the intake, which suction is suflicient to allow for inflow of gas through the inlet port 12 into the space between the impeller blades in the impeller chamber. The separate a liquid intake ports are connected to the constant low pressure supply source, and consequent' ly when the device is started there will be a'suction produced at the gas inlet, and the liquid inlet ports being under a low static pressure, the

. incoming liquid passing through the intake or bypass throats will be sprayed into the entrapped gas, absorbing a portion thereof and being then I forced outwardly through the discharge throatsbut of the discharge throats, such as the throats 44, 45 and 46; whereby the blade passing across the intake throats 40, 42 and 43 will create a suction therein sufficient to produce an influx or increasein the rate of flow of liquid into the impeller chamber through the intake port. This is due to the fact that the discharge of all of the liquid from between the blades or the major portion thereof out of the outlet ports 44, 45 and 46 will result in a starved condition of the impeller as it crosses the intake port, whereas if sufiicient liquid were present within the im peller chamber so that a portion thereof would.

be carried over across the discharge port, such a starved condition would not occur.

Under such starved conditions, the inflow of gas to the impeller chamber is decreased; since the suction effect is decreased due to the fact that the discharge of liquid out of the discharge port is not as great as it should be, and no suction outwardly of the impeller blades is created by the displacement of this liquid. Also, the fact ,that none of the liquid is carried over from the discharge port across the intake port producesa suction effect at the intake port, due to the speed of the impeller blade, such as to, in efiect, increase the normally low static pressure or difference in pressure between the liquid intake and the pressure within the impeller chamber, and consequently causes a greater inflow of liquid,

thus compensating for the starved condition and producing the desired-balanced condition.

Similarly. as shown in Figure"6, 'where a condition is attained wherein too much liquid is present for the amount of gas being absorbed,

said spray, rotating said spray and gas. at relatively high speed in a confined area to produce a constantly changing reacting surface, agglomerating the saturated liquid by centrifugal pressure to discharge the same from said confined area under pressure, and varying the amount of liquid broken up within said confined area in accordance with the rate of absorption of said gas into said liquid.

4. In a gas absorption machine, a casing comprising an impeller chamber, an impeller mounted for rotation therein, 'a discharge manifold, an intake manifold, and a plurality of pairs of ports spaced about the periphery of said impeller chamber, like ones of said pairs being connected re-.

spectively to each of said manifolds, and a gas inlet extending substantially centrally into said impeller chamber.

5. In a gas absorption machine, a casing comprising an impeller chamber, an impeller mounted for rotation therein, a discharge manifold, an intake manifold, and a plurality of pairs of substantially tangential ports spaced about the periphery of said impeller chamber, like ones of said pairs being connected respectively to each of said manifolds, and a gas inletextending substantially-centrally into said impeller chamber.

6. In a gas absorption machine, the combination of a casing containing a channel for an im, peller, an impeller mounted to run in said channel, a plurality of substantially tangential outlets from said channel, an intake manifold connecting alternate ones of said outlets, a discharge manifold connecting the other of said outlets,

and a gas intake, port communicating withthe thereof, and a gas intake port extending axially,

into the center of said impeller chamber.

8. In a gas absorption machine, a casing having a circular runner channel, an open runner fitting in said channel, a gas inlet leading to the center of said runner, and a plurality ofpairs of adjacent tangential throats in the periphery of said channel, one throat of each pair of throats being connected to an absorbing liquid intake manifold, the other throat of each pair of throats being connected to a discharge manifold.

9. In a gas absorption machine, a casing having a circular impeller channel, an impeller mounted for rotation in said channel, a plurality of pairs of throats in the annular periphery of said channel, the anterior one of each pair of throats being connected to a common discharge manifold, the posterior one of each pair of throats being connected to a common liquid intake manifold, and a gas inlet passageway opening into the center of said impeller chamber.

10. In a gas absorption machine, a casing having a circular impeller chamber, an impeller mounted for rotation in said chamber, substantially annular manifolds about the periphery of said chamber and at opposite sides thereof, a plurality of tangential throats leading from the periphery of said chamber to said manifolds, said throats being arranged in pairs with the same relative throat of each pair of throats being connected to the same manifold, and a gas inlet annular manifolds common to said discharge disposed substantially centrally of said chamber.

11. In a gas absorption machine, a casing having a circular impeller chamber, 'an impeller mounted for rotation therein, substantially annular manifolds about the periphery of said chamber and at opposite sides thereof, one of said manifolds being connected to an intake port formed integral with said casing, the'other of said manifolds being connectedto a discharge port, a pair of throats extending substantially tangentially outwardly of the periphery of said chamber, the anterior throat being connected -to I said discharge manifold and the posterior throat being connected to said intake manifold, and means 'for introducing gas into saidimpeller chamben.

12. In a gas absorption machine, a casing having a circular impeller chamber, an impeller mounted for rotation in said chamber, -substan tially annular manifolds about the periphery of 'said chamber and at opposite sides thereof, and

a plurality of tangential throats leading from the periphery of said chamber to said manifolds, said throats being arranged in pairs with the same relative throat of each pair of throats being connected to the same manifold, said manifolds having communication only through said throats.

13. A gas absorption machine having a circular impeller chamber, an impeller mounted for rotation therein, a pair of substantially annular separated manifolds on opposite sides of said chamber about the peripherythereof, means opening into the peripheryof said chamber and providing communication between said manifolds, and means for introducing; gas into said chamber.

14. A gas absorption machinecomprising a casing having a circular impeller chamber, an impeller mounted for rotation therein, means for introducing absorbing liquid into said chamber.

in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said impeller to break said liquid into a plurality of minute liquid particles, means for introducing gas into said chamber, and discharge means leading from said chamber and disposed away from said liquid introducing means a suflicient distance to provideintimate interface contact of gas and liquid, and ag'glomera'tion of a. I

substantial portion of-liquid particles prior to discharge of said'liquid therethrough. .115. A gas absorption machine comprising a casing having a. circular impeller chamber therein,

an impeller mountedfor rotation in said chamber, discharge ports in the periphery of said cas ing extending substantially tangentially outwardw 'ly therefrom inthe direction: of .rotation-of said.--.- impeller, corresponding intake ports adjacent-to and posterior to said discharge ports for introducports andto said intake. ports, and means for in-"v meansfor introducing liquid into-said chamber, said impeller providing for intimate contact between said gas and minute particles of said liquid;:

.troducing gas substantiallyaxially fromIsaid-in:

and means'providing for discharge of said-liquid" under pressure tangentially outwardly from 'said chamber.

17. In a gas absorption machine, an impeller chamber having an impeller mounted for rotation" an impeller mounted for rotation in said c'ham-v 'ber, means for introducing gas into said chamber,

sequent to said liquid-gas contact and after agglomeration of said liquid particles has commenced.

18. A gas absorption machine comprising a mixing chamber, means for introducing gas into said chamber, means for-introducing absorbing liquid tangentially into said chamber, means in said chamber rotating in a direction opposite to the "direction of introduction of said liquid for producing intimate and. constantly changing gas and liquid contact within said chamber, and means disposed anterior to said liquid introducing means providing for discharge of introduced liquid prior to introduction of additional liquid,

- the discharge and introduction means being proportioned to maintain substantially balanced flow into and out of said chamber in accordance with.

liquid into a plurality of minute particles distributed throughoutthe rotating body, forcing the liquid toward the most rapidly moving portion of said body and simultaneously displacing unabsorbed-gas from between said particles as they agglomerate, and discharging the gas-saturatedliquid outwardly'from said body just anterior. to the point of introduction of unsaturated liquid.

20. The method of absorbing a gas into a liquid wherein the liquid and gas are supplied to an absorbing-chamber under substantially constant heads, which comprises introducing the liquid at a plurality of spaced points against a rotating body of gas and liquid, breaking the introduced liquid into a plurality of minute particles distributed throughout the rotating body, forcing the liquid toward the most rapidly moving portion of the body and simultaneously displacing unabsorbed gas from between the particles as they agglomerate, discharging the gas-saturated liquid outwardly from the body anterior to the point of introduction of unsaturated liquid, and blocking oil the introduction of unsaturated liquid against the rotating body when the absorption of gas falls below the maximum absorption point.

21. The method of absorbing a gas into a liquid whereinthe liquid and gas are supplied to an absorbing chamber under substantially constant heads, which comprises introducing the liquid at,

a plurality of spaced points against a rotating body of gas and liquid in said chamber, breaking the'introduced liquid into a plurality of minute particles distributed throughout said rotating body, forcing the liquid toward the most rapidly moving portion of the rotating body and simultaneously displacing unabsorbed gas from between the particles as they agglomerate, in said rapidly moving portion, discharging the gas-saturated liquid outwardly from the body anterior totthe point of introduction of unsaturated liquid, and

creating a suction at the liquid introduction points to'increase the quantity of liquid intro- 7 duced against said rotating body when a liquidstarved condition exists.

22. In a gas absorption machine having a cas ing provided with an axial gas inlet connection,

a liquid inlet connection, and a discharge connection having a single outlet, an impeller having vanes extending from substantially the axial inlet connection to the periphery thereof, said casing having a channel, the periphery of which has a plurality of substantially equally spaced tangential outlet ports and substantially concentric portions between said outlet ports of substantially the same radius as said impeller, said channel also having similar liquid inlet ports disposed immediately posterior to each of said outlet ports whereby the gas and liquid mixture carried by the impeller through the .angular distance subtended by each concentric portion between one of said inlet ports and the next adjalarly only to acquire centrifugal force and to eliminate unabsorbed gas from said. mixture in advance of said gas-saturated liquid being discharged radially into the succeeding discharge port.

23. The combination of claim 22 wherein the discharge ports are separated by spiral walls defining between them outwardly tapering discharge passageways, all of which merge into the singledischarge outlet.

24. The combination of claim 22 wherein the inlet ports are separated by spiral walls defining, between them inwardly tapering inlet passageways, all of which emerge from said single liquid inlet connection.

25. The method of absorbing gas efficiently into a liquid in a gas absorption machine, which com prises dividing the mixture of gas and liquid into I definite portions within the machine, moving each portion angularly through a fractional part of a complete'rotation.toattain discharge velocity and to separate the unabsorbed gas from the gas.-

.saturated liquid, and discharging each portion of cent discharge port is moved substantially angugas saturated liquid tangentially through a discharge throat as soon as it has attained its .discharge velocity. 26. The method of claim 25 with the steps of introducing into and breakingnp unsaturated liquid in each of. saiddefinite portions at theinitiation of said angular movement, and decreas-' ing the cross-section of gas-saturated liquid during said angular movement to increase the pressure therein for increasing absorption and driving out of said liquid unsaturated gas particles prior to discharge of said gas-saturated liquid.

HARRY E. LA BOUR. 

